A hook is often considered the “better player” miss but that is small consolation if you are watching the ball sail OB.
While swing mechanics are always going to play the biggest role, modern driver designs can help keep the ball in play and in the fairway more often.
Prescriptions for Fighting a Hook
Unlike some of the drivers featured in the Best Driver For A Slice 2021 article, very few clubs these days are built with a fade bias locked in. Instead, the prescription for keeping the ball from going left (for right-handers) often involves some combination of:
- An open face
- A flatter lie angle
- More weight towards the toe
Before the advent of adjustable drivers, golfers would either have to custom build or manipulate drivers to achieve these conditions. Now, however, the best drivers for fighting a hook offer some combination of these settings. It may take some experimentation (or a proper fitting) but with a little effort and fine-tuning you should be able to achieve the desired results.
With that in mind, here are our picks for the best drivers for fighting a hook in 2021.
Titleist TSi3
The TSi3 from Titleist not only was a strong performer in the 2021 Most Wanted Driver testing, it also checks all the boxes for fighting a hook.
First, the Surefit hosel allows you to flatten the lie angle by as much .75 degrees without impacting loft. The loft is adjustable as well. Reducing it by .75 degrees will also open the face by the same amount.
The TSi3’s offers a five-position weight track. For many golfers, the two toe settings will often promote fade spin (or at least reduce draw spin).
Lastly, the shaping of the TSi3’s toe gives the driver an open look at address. This could inspire confidence in golfers who fear going hard left off the tee.
$549
PING G425 LST
Unlike most drivers on this list, the G425 LST has a slight fade bias by design. It’s designed to meets the needs of Tour players and other highly skilled golfers who prefer to play a slight fade.
Golfers can further enhance the fade bias with a number of other adjustments. First, the lie angle can be flattened by 1 degree. Reducing loft will open the face.
Placing the head’s 17-gram movable weight into the fade position provides even more help.
For golfers looking for these same hook-fighting features but with more forgiveness, the G425 MAX is another option. It doesn’t have the native fade bias of the LST but it offers the same adjustability and a heavier weight.
$499
Titleist TSi4
Like its stablemate, the TSi4 offers a Surefit hosel capable of adjusting loft and lie to maximize fade bias.
The biggest difference is in the head shape. The TSi4 features a much more compact 430cc head. For many, including better ball strikers, it could prove to be the perfect recipe for fighting a hook.
The smaller head is more “workable” (the center of gravity is closer to the hosel) than its 460cc counterparts. This allows golfers to better control the face without the driver fighting to square itself up.
Combining elements of adjustability and workability could be the recipe to help some golfers start the ball right (and keep it there).
$549
COBRA RADSPEED
While the COBRA RADSPEED driver doesn’t have a conventional fade bias, it does have a few features which can help it fight a hook.
First, the face angle can be opened by two degrees. An open face can be one of the most direct ways of fighting a hook.
While it’s a lesser-known design detail, moving the heavy weight forward introduces a bit of fade bias. That should produce lower spin with a flatter trajectory while also helping keep the ball more to the right as well.
$449
PXG 0811 XT GEN4
If adjustability is the key to fighting a hook, then the PXG 0811 XT GEN4 can be as anti-hook as you need it to be.
The XT’s capabilities begin with the most aggressive flat setting on the market. It can be set three degrees flat without changing loft or face angle. At one of the driver’s two 2.5-degree flat settings, golfers can remove one degree of loft which will also open the face.
This 0811 XT GEN4 driver also features a flexible weighting system. By fine-tuning the weight placement with additional mass forward, golfers can promote lower-spinning flight with a fade bias.
It should be noted that the XT model is designed for faster clubhead speeds (105 mph and above). For slower swings, either the 0811 X or 0811 XF GEN4 models may be a better fit. Both provide the same fitting capabilities.
$549
Ted
3 years ago
I find weakening my grip by rotating both hands (Vs) to the left pointing more towards your chin than your right cheek ( right hand golfer) can make a significant improvement in straightening out hooks. A no cost alternative to buying a new driver.
Arvind Prasad
3 years ago
Grip does plays a important role in shot shaping, however other aspects like, angle of attack, swing path, and the club itself does make the shot : hook , draw, straight, or fade.
That’s my take, you may correct me !